Coastal Carolina to Face West Virginia in Season Opener

Morgantown, West Virginia – Coastal Carolina University will kick off its 2026 football season against West Virginia University, marking a significant match-up for the Chanticleers. The game is set to be held on September 5, 2026, at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown.

The announcement was made on August 26, reflecting a change in Coastal Carolina’s schedule. Originally, the Chanticleers were slated to face Delaware on September 3, 2026, but that game has been moved to Week 3 for undisclosed reasons. Additionally, a previously scheduled game against Temple on September 19 has been canceled altogether.

The 2026 season will feature two non-conference home games for Coastal Carolina: a match-up against Fordham in Week 2 and a game against Liberty in Week 4. Alongside these games, the Chanticleers will also compete in eight Sun Belt Conference games; specific details about the conference match-ups are expected to be announced later.

The game against West Virginia presents a financial advantage for Coastal Carolina, as Power Five Conference schools typically pay Group of Five programs like the Chanticleers for home games. This revenue is crucial for smaller programs as they navigate their budgets amid tougher competition. In the current season, CCU is scheduled to play at Virginia (ACC) on September 7 and at South Carolina (SEC) on November 22, and playing against a school of West Virginia’s stature will further enhance their exposure and financial situation.

This will not be the first meeting between the two teams; Coastal Carolina faced West Virginia back in 2010, resulting in a decisive 31-0 victory for the Mountaineers. Interestingly, Coastal Carolina has had recent success against West Virginia’s current head coach, Rich Rodriguez, defeating his Jacksonville State teams in two consecutive seasons, 30-16 in 2023 and 55-27 in 2024. Rodriguez previously served as head coach at West Virginia from 2001 to 2007, a tenure noted for significant achievements before he pursued roles at Michigan, Arizona, and Jacksonville State.

The opportunity to schedule West Virginia arose after Coastal Carolina’s planned home-and-home series with Alabama for the 2026 and 2027 seasons was canceled. A look at West Virginia’s 2026 non-conference schedule reveals that they will also compete against Virginia in Charlotte and host UT Martin.

As a notable side note, Michael T. Benson, who served as Coastal Carolina’s president until June 2024, has recently taken over as president of West Virginia University, marking a connection between the two institutions as they prepare for the upcoming football season.

Furthermore, starting in 2026, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) is shifting to a nine-game conference schedule, which is expected to impact West Virginia’s overall scheduling strategy as they maneuver their non-conference games within this new framework.

When is the game between Coastal Carolina and West Virginia scheduled?

The game is scheduled for September 5, 2026 at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, West Virginia.

What changes have occurred to Coastal Carolina’s 2026 schedule?

Coastal Carolina’s game against Delaware has been moved to Week 3, and a match-up against Temple scheduled for September 19 has been canceled.

How many home games will Coastal Carolina have in 2026?

Coastal Carolina is set to have two non-conference home games: one against Fordham in Week 2 and another against Liberty in Week 4.

What is the significance of playing a Power Five Conference team like West Virginia?

Playing against West Virginia offers Coastal Carolina a revenue-generating opportunity, as Power Five schools often pay Group of Five programs for home games.

What is the historical context of Coastal Carolina’s match-up with West Virginia?

The two teams last met in 2010, with West Virginia winning that contest 31-0. Coastal Carolina recently defeated teams coached by Rich Rodriguez.